Self-thawing radiator



May 26, 1942. 1.. D. BOYD SELF THAWING RADIATOR Filed May 24, 1940 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 26, 1942 i OFFICE SELFFTHAWINGV RADIATOR Luther 'Demaree Boyd, Louisville, Ky.

. Application May 24,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to radiators for internal combustion engines, one of the objects-being to provide a radiator with means whereby the radiator cannot only be prevented from freezing while the'motor is running but can also be thawed out after it has frozen, simply by operating the motor.

Various devices for preventing freezing of radiators and for thawing out radiators after they have been frozen, have been devised but, as far as I am aware, these have all'been objectionable for one reason or another. A

An object of the present invention is to provide a radiator with efiicient means whereby the desired results can be obtained, this means operating to utilize not only steam for the purpose of raising'the temperature in the radiator but also utilizing condensed steam for that purpose so that maximum'efliciency is obtained.

A further object is to provide a means by which the condensed steam can be drawn off when it reaches a predetermined level so that it will not remain in the radiator too long and retard the thawing operation. 7 g

A still further object is to provide the radiator with a means for trapping the steam so that anti-freezing preparations contained within the radiator can be trappedand recovered.

Another object is to provide heating 'means which insures free flow of steam generated in the radiator so that it will not be unduly retarded while used for heating purposes.

A still further object is to provide the radiator V with means for conducting steam along prede termined paths for the purpose of thawing a radiator if frozen and also for the purpose of delivering generatedsteam and excess'water in warm weather when the thawing action is not desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in'the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred 7 50 tions and-the steam therefore can flow outwardly through the drain-cock and also through the the radiator form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section through a radiator, the present improvements being shown positioned in the radiator. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper 1940, Serial No. 336,970

(or. 12s-.-17s.5

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, R designates a radiator of the usual type 5 used in connection with internal combustion engines in motor vehicles, this being provided with V the usual filling opening 0. The radiator is to V be provided with the usual water tubes shown at T. l

The present invention includes a steam intake element ladapted to be positioned within the radiator close to the opening 0 and extending downwardly from this element are several tubes 2 so shaped as to extend downwardly between some of the water tubes T in the radiator andtheir lower ends are then extended to a condensing chamber 4 in the form of a box located in the lower portion of the radiator; This condensing chamber has an overflow pipe 5 extending upwardly from the top thereof and thence downwardly below the bottom of the radiator.

the bottom of the condensing chamber .4, this cock being normally closed during the thawing.

2Q operation hereinafter described.

' of the tubes. The upper end of the tubular body portion 1 is provided with a dome-like cap 8' which extends radially beyond the body portion 1 to provide a shoulder 9 in which is located anannular series of steam inlet ports 10 the capacity of which is equal to or greater than the capacity of the body 1 and the tubes 2;

As before stated the present device is arranged within the radiator with the intake member I located close to the opening 0 while the condensing chamber 4 is located in the bottom portion of the radiator, the tubes 2 constituting steam conductors leading from the member I to the chamber 4.

5 Under warm weather driving conditions any steam generated within the radiator will pass through the ports l0 into the body 1 and thence downwardly through thetubes 2 to the chamber 4. The drain-cock 6 is openunder these condipipe 5 so that. it will quickly leave and allow. thewater to cool. v

Should the radiator be used infreezing weather the drain-cock 6 is closed. Thus steam generated A drain-cock 6 is also in communication with.

As shown particularly in Figure 2 the steam I intake element 1 includes a tubular body portion radiator.

in theradiator will flow into the intake member within the chamber 4 and should the water of Ultimately the steam will condense chamber 4. The hood 8 and tubular member I serve to protect the upper ends from water being poured into the radiator and-from water splashing or otherwise in a state ofagitation in the top portion of the radiator. In'cold weather, when the drain cock 6 is closed, only a small outlet is provided by pipe 5 and water entering tubes 2 in large quantities would become partially. trapped and might freeze with the other water in tubes .T and in the top and bottom portions :of the radiator." For eflicient results condensation become excessive in amount, the V IYhe-small overflow pipe 5 allows air in chamber 4, tubes 2 and dome 8 to form in efiect a cushion drain-cock 6 could be opened to permit drainage;

The presentinvention takes theplace of the usual overflow tube which obviously can be dispensed with'when the improvements-ware in I stalled in a radiator. Any excesswater directed into the radiator will overflow through the mem-. ber l and the tubes 2 and thence from the chain 7 ber throughthe drain-cockfii, if opened, or else through the overflow. pipe 5,. I y

It has been found in practice'that this invention is very eflicient' as a means for preventing a radiator from freezing while the motor' is, op-

erating and alsouas ar'neahs, for melting ice inradiators which have already frozen. It' is furthermore advantageous" because I the water of condensation trapped within the chamber 4 dur-j ing the thawing operation, will contain a portion of anyanti-freez'ing preparation which might bewithin the radiatorand by draining on the con- As the capacity of the body I portioned to allow steam to flow freely into the bodypcrtion .1 it will be apparent that the steam will flow freely. through these parts from the interior oflthe radiator when the drain-cock is open,but,;when the drain-cock 6 islclosed the steam will flow into the tubes -2 faster "than it freely or without restraint."

is greater than that of the tubesZ and as the ports ID are prounderall conditions tubes 2 must be shielded.

for resisting upflow of water through apertures Sin shoulder 10. g It will be noted that chamber 4 -is set inti rom the walls so that water to be I heatedwcan' circulate over and around the chamber andbeitempered by the steam-warmed walls of the'chamber; r

Whatlis claimed is:

. 1. The combination with upper and lower water chambers and tubesconnecting the cha'mbe rsj of means for distributing heat'throughoutialljportionsof theinterior of the radiaton said means including a container for water. ofcondensation, housed withinthe tentsfof this chamber, the anti-freezing mixture a 7 can be preserved and reused.

" While the tubes-,2 can be extended between certain or, the tubes ordinarily 'foundinthe ra-1 diator it is to be'understood that'if preferred,

the tubes 2 could in themselvesbe selected tubes of the radiator which are joined atitheir upper ends to the member I andfat their lower ends to the chamber}; I V i To insure proper operation of :the invention it is desirable, especially in cold'weather, to keep "water out of the pipes 72 in orderthat steamand Vapor may flow freely through the pipes to the said steam-conducting tubes and the container constitutingrneans for transmitting to the contents ofthe' chambers and their connecting tubes the heat ofzthe steam and of the water of condensation. p

2. The combination with a radiator having upper and lowerwater chambers andtubes connecting the chambers, of meansrfordistributing heat throughout all portionsmf the interiorof the radiator, "said means including a container for water of condensation housed within the lower chamber ,and, constituting an expansion chamber, a'nd-steam-conducting tubes positioned attheir upper ends within the upper chamber and extended, downwardly through the connect- 7 'ing tubes, said steam-conducting tubes opening at their lower ends into the top of the container, said 7 steam-conducting tubes 1 and the container constituting meansfor'transmitting to the contents of the chambers'and ,their connecting tubes theheat of the/steam and of'the water of condensation, and an overflow pipeextending from the upper portion of the'container and opening downwardly through the bottomof the radiator.- i V LUTHER DEMAREE BOYD.

a radiator having 

